Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Teen accused of sending nude photos over Internet

A Rogersville teenager has posted bail after being arrested for sending nude photographs of his ex-girlfriend over the Internet, authorities said.

Graham Berry, 19, is charged with the Class B felony of disseminating or display of obscene material and domestic violence, criminal coercing. The domestic charge is a misdemeanor, according to John Woodrum, an investigator with the Lauderdale County domestic violence unit.

Woodrum said Berry is a student at the University of West Alabama but lists his home address as 61 Feeder St., Rogersville.

Berry was arrested Sunday night by Woodrum and sheriff's investigator Richard Richey. They also confiscated Berry's computer and cellphone.

"We will be sending the computer and cellphone to a forensic lab to determine who and how many people were sent the images," Woodrum said. "We don't know exactly how many parties received them at this point, but we're likely looking at quite a few."

He said the girl involved lives in the Shoals and initiated the investigation last week by filing for a domestic violence warrant. The county's domestic violence unit was asked to look into the allegation and determined the felony charge applied in this case, Woodrum said.

He said Berry and the girl began dating when they were both 16 and they ended their

relationship about a year ago. Woodrum said child pornography charges do not apply in this case because the girl was at least 16 when the photos were taken.

"This type charge is unusual in this area; it's the first we've seen," Woodrum said. "We're pressing this case because it is a form of domestic violence, perhaps not physical abuse but there is certainly emotional abuse involved."

If convicted of the felony charge, Berry would face 2-20 years in prison and would be required to register as a convicted sex offender.